Encouragement Week Tees

This design comes from a sweet man from the church I came to Christ in as a young teenager. Whenever anyone asked how he was doing, he’d reply “better than I deserve.” He (and his family) were used by the Lord in ways that have shaped me greatly.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
What do you think you deserve?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
We obviously tend to think very highly of ourselves and what we deserve often as we covet what others have (that should be ours, right?), become jealous of others (because people should think as good, if not better, of us) and the pride and frustration with which we interact with those around us (as we know better than they do and are clearly beneath our level of understanding). And that doesn’t even touch our inclination toward self-righteousness as believers—to glory in our good deeds and puff ourselves up.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
What do we really deserve in the eyes of a holy God in exchange for our rebellion against Him?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Romans 6:23⁣⁣
⁣⁣
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”⁣⁣
⁣⁣
“The reason why death is the result of sin is, that sin deserves death. Death is due to it in justice. There is the same obligation in justice, that sin should be followed by death, as that the laborer should receive his wages. As it would be unjust, and therefore wrong, to defraud the laborer of his stipulated reward, so it would be unjust to allow sin to go unpunished…But the gift of God, the free, unmerited gift of God, is eternal life…Sin deserves death; holiness is itself the gift of God, and is freely crowned with eternal life. The idea of merit is everywhere and in every way excluded from the gospel method of salvation. It is a system of grace, from the beginning to the consummation. It is in Christ, as united to him, that we are made partakers of eternal life. Jesus Christ and his gospel…effectually secure what the law never could never accomplish...”⁣⁣
-Charles Hodge⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Praise God for His mercy—may it lead us to repentance, humility and loving obedience.

⁣⁣⁣⁣Be encouraged, saint—the One who calls you to obedience is the One who equips you for it. ⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣You may have heard the phrase “do the next thing” before—it was largely made popular by Elisabeth Elliot so she is often credited with the quote, however—she was actually quoting from a longer poem by Minne E. Paull, crediting old Saxon legend.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣This is the original poem:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣“From an old English parsonage down by the sea⁣⁣⁣⁣."

There came in the twilight a message to me;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.⁣⁣⁣⁣
And on through the doors the quiet words ring⁣⁣⁣⁣
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Many a questioning, many a fear,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it immediately, do it with prayer;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it reliantly, casting all care;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand⁣⁣⁣⁣
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Leave all results, do the next thing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Looking for Jesus, ever serener,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;⁣⁣⁣⁣
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,⁣⁣⁣⁣
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.”⁣⁣⁣⁣

“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”